Automatic protocol selection for an imaging device

ABSTRACT

A method of automatically determining an imaging protocol. The method includes receiving, via a user-interface, a scan request. The scan request includes a region-of-interest definition. The method further includes determining, via a controller, an imaging protocol based on the scan request, and performing, via an imaging device, a scan of a patient based on the imaging protocol.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments relate to dental imaging.

SUMMARY

Typically, a dental image of a patient is initially requested by adentist. Often times, such a request is made manually (for example,orally or in writing). An operator then performs the imaging of thepatient based on the request. The imaging of the patient is performedmanually by the operator, and is mainly based on the know-how of theoperator. Such a procedure can lead to mistakes and/or errors in theimaging of the patient.

Thus, in one embodiment, the invention provides a method ofautomatically determining an imaging protocol. The method includesreceiving, via a user-interface, a scan request. The scan requestincludes a region-of-interest definition. The method further includesdetermining, via a controller and based on the scan request, at leastone selected from the group consisting of an imaging protocol and animaging parameter; and performing, via an imaging device, a scan of apatient based on the imaging protocol.

In another embodiment the invention provides an imaging system includinga user-interface, a controller, and an imaging device. The controllerincludes a processor and a memory, the controller is configured toreceive, from the user-interface, a scan request. The scan requestincludes a region-of-interest definition. The controller is furtherconfigured to determine, based on the scan request, at least oneselected from the group consisting of an imaging protocol and an imagingparameter. The imaging device is configured to perform a scan of apatient based on the imaging protocol.

Other aspects of various embodiments will become apparent byconsideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an imaging system according tosome embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a process of the system of FIG. 1according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a scan request page of a graphical user-interface foruse with the system of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates a mapping table for use with the system of FIG. 1according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a process of the system of FIG. 1according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 illustrates a worklist page of a graphical user-interface for usewith the system of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understoodthat these embodiments are not limited in their application to thedetails of construction and the arrangement of components set forth inthe following description or illustrated in the following drawings.Other embodiments are possible and the embodiments described are capablebeing practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

FIG. 1 illustrates an imaging system 100 for capturing, processing, andanalyzing dental imaging scans. In the example shown, the system 100includes a controller 105 having an electronic processor 110 and amemory 115. The memory 115 stores instructions executable by theprocessor 110. In some instances, the controller 105 includes, forexample, one or more of a microprocessor, digital signal processor(DSP), and field programmable gate array (FPGA), application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC).

The controller 105 is electrically and/or communicatively coupled to animage capture device 120, a first user-interface 125, and a network 130.The image capture device 120 may be an x-ray imaging device, a computertomography (CT) scanner, an optical surface scanner, or any other typeof imaging modality scanner or imaging device configured to capturetwo-dimensional and/or three-dimensional images. Images captured by theimage capture device 120 may be stored in memory 115 for, among otherthings, analysis and manipulation. Depending on the imaging modality,these digital renderings can include two or three dimensionalgeometrical data as well as other information including, for example,color, shade, and texture.

In the illustrated embodiment, the image capture device 120 iscommunicatively coupled to the controller 105 via network 130. In suchan embodiment, the image capture device 120 may be located remotely fromthe controller 105. In other embodiments, the imaging capturing device120 may be located proximate the controller 105 and a communicativeconnection between the image capture device 120 and the controller 105need not be through network 130. In yet another embodiment, thecontroller 105 may be embedded within the image capture device 120.

The user-interface 125 receives input from a user and/or providesinformation to the user. The user-interface 125 may include one or moreof the following: a display (for example, a liquid crystal display(LCD)); one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) or other illuminationdevices; one or more input devices (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, atouch screen, a camera, a microphone, etc.); speakers for audiblefeedback (e.g., audible sounds, computer-generated voice messages,etc.); tactile feedback devices , for example, vibration devices thatcause vibration; or other feedback devices.

The network 130 may be a local area network, a wide area network, or acombination of connections provided by such networks. All or part of thenetwork 130 may be implemented via the Internet. In some embodiments, asecond user-interface 135 may be communicatively coupled to thecontroller 105 via the network 130. In such an embodiment, the seconduser-interface 135 may be substantially similar to, and configured toperform similar functions as, the first user-interface 125. Furthermore,in some embodiments, the controller 105, image capture device 120, firstuser-interface 125, and second user-interface 135 are communicativelycoupled to each other through the network 130. In yet anotherembodiments, the first user-interface 125 or the second user-interface135 may be embedded within the image capture device 120. In someembodiments, additional user-interfaces, beyond the first user-interface125 and the second user-interface 135, may be used.

FIG. 2 illustrates a process, or operation, 200 of the system 100according to some embodiments. It should be understood that the order ofthe steps disclosed in process 200 could vary. Although illustrated asoccurring in parallel order, in other embodiments, the steps disclosedmay be performed in serial order. Furthermore, additional steps may beadded to the process and not all of the steps may be required. A firstuser (for example, a dentist) initiates a scan, or acquisition, request(block 205).

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary scan request page 300 of a graphicaluser-interface for initiating a scan request by a user. In someembodiments, the user accesses the scan request page 300 viauser-interface 125. In other embodiments, the user accesses the scanrequest page 300 via a second user-interface through network 130. Scanrequest 300 may include, among other things, a patient identification(for example, a patient name, a patient identification number,photograph, fingerprint, retinal scan, facial recognition, and/or otherbiometric data, etc.); a modality selection 305; a resolution selection310; a region selection 315; and a notes section 320. The modalityselection 305 allows the user to select a modality. Although illustratedas including an intraoral selection, a panoramic selection, acephalometric selection, a cone-beam three-dimensional (CB3D) dentalselection, and a CB3D skull selection, the modality selection 305 mayinclude additional selections. The resolution selection 310 allows theuser to select a resolution of the requested scan. The region selection,or region-of-interest definition, 315 allows the user to select one ormore regions of the patient to be included in the scan. For example, theregion selection 315 may include defining an anatomic place (forexample, from a head area). The regions may include, but are not limitedto, a single tooth, a range of teeth, a jaw, both jaws, and a wholedentition and temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Although illustrated asincluding an image, in other embodiments, region selection 315 may be,or include, a numeral input (for example, a number of a tooth or numbersof teeth), a textural input (for example, a name of a tooth or names ofteeth), a voice command, a selection from a list of teeth, or othermethod of controlling the user-interface. The notes section 320 allowsthe user to include additional notes within the scan request.

Returning to FIG. 2, the scan request is stored (block 210). In someembodiments, the scan request is stored in memory 115. In otherembodiments, the scan request is stored in a memory of a server vianetwork 130. An imaging protocol based on the scan request is thendetermined (block 215). In some embodiments, the imaging protocol isfurther based on the type of image capturing device used. The imagingprotocol includes, among other things, a field-of-view. In someembodiments, the imaging protocol includes a field-of-view size and afield-of view position. By automatically determining the imagingprotocol, system 100 provides a more expedient image capture with higheraccuracy over previously-known systems.

FIG. 4 illustrates a mapping table according to some embodiments. Insome embodiments, the field-of-view and other various image parametersare determined using the mapping table 400. In the illustratedembodiments, mapping table 400 includes a plurality of device columns405 a-405 e corresponding to a plurality of image capturing devices (forexample, image capture device 120). The mapping table 400 furtherincludes a selection column 410. In the illustrated embodiment,selection column 410 includes a plurality of modality selection sections415 a-415 d corresponding to various modalities. In operation, thecontroller 105 receives a modality selection and a region selection fromthe scan request. The controller 105 then uses the mapping table 400 toselect a corresponding modality selection section (for example, any oneof modality selection sections 415 a-415 d) based on the modalityselection of the scan request. Within the corresponding modalityselection section, the controller 105 then selects a correspondingregion based on the region selection of the scan request. Afield-of-view, as well as other image parameters (for example,resolution, image processing parameters, reconstruction algorithm,artifact removal), and/or technique factors (for example, kV, mA, scantime, etc.), may then be determined for a variety of image capturingdevices (for example, Device 1, Device 2, etc.) for the selectedmodality and region. The specific field-of-view, as well as the otherimage parameters, are then determined based on the type of image capturedevice used.

FIG. 5 illustrates a process, or operation, 500 for performing the scanof the patient according to some embodiments. It should be understoodthat the order of the steps disclosed in process 200 could vary.Although illustrated as occurring in parallel order, in otherembodiments, the steps disclosed may be performed in serial order.Furthermore, additional steps may be added to the process and not all ofthe steps may be required. Process 500 may be performed using the firstuser-interface 125 and/or the second user-interface 135. The process500, which refers to scanning the patient (for example, taking an imageof the patient) is typically performed using one of the user-interfaces.However, the system may include multiple user-interfaces (for example,the first user-interface 125 can be in multiple dental operatories ortreatment rooms). Additionally, in some embodiments, the firstuser-interface 125 and/or the second user-interface 135 may be auser-interface having no memory requirement for performing theoperations described herein.

When the patient is ready to be scanned, a second user (for example, adental assistant) selects the patient from a worklist (block 505). Insome embodiments, the first user and the second user may be the same;while in other embodiments, the first and second users may be different.Additionally, in some embodiments, the first user may be located at afirst location, while the second user may be located at a seconddifferent location. For example, a dentist located at a first location(for example, a first dentist office) may request a scan to be performedat a second location (for example, a second dentist office or an imagingfacility). Additionally, in some embodiments, the first and secondlocations may be located in different rooms of the same office. Inanother example, a dentist located at the first location may request afirst scan to be performed at the second location and a second scan tobe performed at a third location. Additionally, the first user mayinclude more than one users (for example, more than one, or multiple,dentists) using one or more user-interfaces, while the second user mayalso include more than one users using one or more user-interfaces.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary worklist page 600 of a graphicaluser-interface for selecting a patient from a worklist. In theillustrated embodiment, the second user selects the patient to bescanned from the worklist page 600. The worklist page may include one ormore patients as well as patient identifying information (for example,name, identification number, gender, age), and selected modality. Insome embodiments, the second user may be able to filter the patientsusing filters or text searching. In another embodiment, the second usermay identify the patient, for example, by scanning an identity cardcontaining a barcode or electronic memory. In yet another embodiment,the patient may be identified based on biometric data (for example,fingerprint, retinal scan, and/or facial recognition).

Returning to FIG. 5, once a patient is selected, the imaging protocol isset automatically (block 510). As discussed above, the imaging protocolmay be set (for example, using the mapping table 400) based on the scanrequest, as well as the image capturing device 120 being used to scanthe patient. In some embodiments, in addition to or instead of themapping table, other means or algorithms may be used for selecting thescan protocol and/or scan parameters. For example, fuzzy logic,artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, and/or machine learningalgorithms. In some embodiments, the previously-determined imagingprotocol overrides any default settings of the image capturing device120. In some embodiments, the second user may make additions and/orchanges to the image capture beyond the previously-determined imagingprotocol (for example, changes to an exposure value, technique factors,etc.). The second user then positions the patient to the image capturingdevice 120 and/or otherwise prepares the patient to be ready for takingthe image or images (block 515). The image is taken by the imagecapturing device 120 (block 520). In some embodiments, before the imageis taken, a scout, or preview, image may be displayed to the seconduser. In such an embodiment, based on the scout image, the user can seeif there is a need for any changes to the image parameters orfield-of-view. The image is then output (block 525). In someembodiments, the image is output and stored in memory 115.

Thus, embodiments provide, among other things, a system and method forautomatically determining an imaging protocol for an imaging device.Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of automatically determining an imagingprotocol, the method comprising: receiving, via a user-interface, a scanrequest including a region-of-interest definition; determining, via acontroller and based on the scan request, at least one selected from thegroup consisting of an imaging protocol and an imaging parameter; andperforming, via an imaging device, a scan of a patient based on theimaging protocol.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein theregion-of-interest definition includes at least one selected from thegroup consisting of a single tooth, a range of teeth, a jaw, both jaws,and a whole dentition and temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein the scan request further includes a modalityselection.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the user-interface islocated at a first location.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein theimaging device is located at a second location.
 6. The method of claim1, wherein the user-interface, controller, and imaging device arecommunicatively coupled to one another via a network.
 7. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising receiving a patient selection.
 8. The methodof claim 7, wherein the step of receiving the patient selection isperformed via a second user-interface.
 9. The method of claim 8, whereinthe user-interface and the second user-interface are the same.
 10. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the step of determining, via the controller,the imaging protocol based on the scan request includes determining afield-of-view.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the field-of-view isbased on a region-of-interest definition.
 12. The method of claim 10,wherein the field-of-view includes at least one selected from the groupconsisting of a field-of-view size and a field-of-view position.
 13. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the step of determining, via the controller,the imaging protocol based on the scan request includes determining atleast one selected from the group consisting of an image parameter and atechnique factor.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the imagingprotocol is further based on the imaging device.
 15. The method of claim1, wherein the region-of-interest definition includes at least oneselected from the group consisting of a name of a tooth, a number of atooth, a selection from a list, and an input from a user.
 16. An imagingsystem comprising: a user-interface; a controller including a processorand a memory, the controller configured to receive, from theuser-interface, a scan request including a region-of-interestdefinition, and determine at least one selected from the groupconsisting of an imaging protocol and an imaging parameter, thedetermination based on the scan request; and an imaging device, theimaging device configured to perform a scan of a patient based on theimaging protocol.
 17. The imaging system of claim 16, wherein theregion-of-interest definition including at least one selected from thegroup consisting of a single tooth, a range of teeth, a jaw, both jaws,and a whole dentition and temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
 18. The imagingsystem of claim 16, wherein the scan request further includes a modalityselection.
 19. The imaging system of claim 16, wherein theuser-interface is located at a first location.
 20. The imaging system ofclaim 19, wherein the imaging device is located at a second location.21. The imaging system of claim 16, further comprising a networkconfigured to provide a connection between the user-interface,controller, and imaging device.
 22. The imaging system of claim 16,wherein the controller is further configured to receive a patientselection.
 23. The imaging system of claim 22, further comprising asecond user-interface configured to receive the patient selection. 24.The imaging system of claim 16, wherein the controller determining theimaging protocol based on the scan request includes determining afield-of-view.
 25. The imaging system of claim 24, wherein thefield-of-view is based on a region-of-interest definition.
 26. Theimaging system of claim 24, wherein the field-of-view includes at leastone selected from the group consisting of a field-of-view size and afield-of-view position.
 27. The imaging system of claim 16, wherein thecontroller determining the imaging protocol based on the scan requestincludes determining at least one selected from the group consisting ofan image parameter and a technique factor.
 28. The imaging system ofclaim 16, wherein the imaging protocol is further based on the imagingdevice.
 29. The imaging system of claim 16, wherein theregion-of-interest definition includes at least one selected from thegroup consisting of a name of a tooth, a number of a tooth, a selectionfrom a list, and an input from a user.